System and method to provide a centralized alerting and awareness system through the use of an ear piece or other user interface

ABSTRACT

The personal information manager system comprises a centralized information manager (CIM) and a personal information manager (PIM) device. The centralized information manager is encoded on a server and is accessable by the PIM device through Internet protocols over a wireless medium. The PIM, to be carried by a user, is connected to the CIM by a wireless transmitter, receives context-sensitive, customized, prioritized, filtered, and aggregated information from the CIM, and can directly receive GPS data and other sources of local information.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to methods for receivinginformation from multiple input streams and resending the informationsubject to a personalized priority based on characterization ofinformation received.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today's communication systems make vast amounts of informationpotentially available to individuals, but each information sourceassociates with a particular type of device for receiving theinformation. While some devices will access multiple information streamssuch as Internet, phone, and email, no one device can access all of thedisparate sources available. Even if such a device were available, aproblem would arise in managing the volume of information that couldpotentially be received. For example, a person may receive cell phonemessages from home, and email messages from work on a blackberry. Inaddition, Global Positioning System (GPS) information, traffic alerts,weather alerts, and stock alerts may also be received. Sensorinformation such as biometric monitoring, temperature information,outside wind level information, and security monitoring may also beaccessed. Such information is transmitted on different media andreceived on different receiving devices.

Therefore, a problem arises in management of multiple informationstreams. First, it would be desirable to receive information regardingall of the multiple streams through one device. Second, given the volumeof messages coming to a user from a disparity of sources through such asingle device, it would be desirable for a user to receive theinformation in a managed and non-disruptive way. Therefore, a needexists for a centralized information manager device to enable anindividual to receive information regarding multiple streams through asingle device. Further, a need arises for a system to control the flowof information to such a device in order to manage user disruption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The personal information manager system comprises a centralizedinformation manager (CIM) and a personal information manager device(PIM). The CIM is encoded on a server that is accessable from the PIMthru a wireless medium. The CIM aggregates source data by way ofInternet-based information alerts. The Internet-based information alertsare generated from a variety of sources. These sources includesubscription services or other freely available data banks, softwareagents that proactively troll the Internet for relevant insights, andmessages sent from the PIM (for example, a OPS locator to inform the CIMof the user's locale ((the PIM location)). The personal informationmanager device, to be carried by a user, communicates with the CIM byway of wireless protocols. A key aspect of the PIM is the ability of thePIM to automatically detect the current location of the user, which isbest accomplished through the receipt of GPS data from the satellite.The CIM comprises a medium interface library, a rule formation program,a buffer program, and a transmission program. The personal informationmanager device comprises a processor, a power supply, a memory, a GPSreceiver, a cellular transceiver, a user interface device, and adisplay. The personal information manager device may also have an in-eardevice to alert the user to received data. The medium interface librarycontains an application interface for each medium in the system. Eachapplication interface receives and formats information from the incomingdata and sends the formatted information to the buffer program. The datais formatted in accordance with four characteristics: medium,originator, content, and external factors. The buffer program uses theformatted data to access a rule from the rules file and to apply therule to determine a transmission time for the data and place the data ina queue within the buffer. The transmission program continuously checksthe queue for transmission times that need to be increased or decreasedbased upon external sensor data or other factors and transmits the datawhen the transmission time for the data is reached. The queue in thebuffer may be reordered based on a dynamic priority weighting of theinformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well asa preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, willbest be understood by reference to the following detailed description ofan illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the personal information manager system;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the configuration of the personalinformation manager device;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the configuration of the personalinformation manager in-ear device;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the files and programs encoded in theserver memory,

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the logic of the rule formation program;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the logic of the buffer program; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the logic of the transmission program.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is an illustration of centralized information manager system 100.As used herein, the term “centralized information manager system” shallmean a centralized information manager connected to a personalinformation manager device and adapted to receive data from multiplemedia streams and from external sensors. Centralized information managersystem 100 comprises personal information manager device 14, in-eardevice 12, server 28, database 27, Internet 20, and wireless transmitter35. Centralized information manager system 100 receives data fromexternal factor sensor 30, computer 26, cell phone 24, and satellite 22.Computer 26, cell phone 24, and satellite 22 are merely representativeof the type of information media by which information can be received.Persons skilled in the art will be aware of numerous information mediastreams that can be connected to server 28 by Internet 20. As usedherein, the term “external factor sensor” shall mean a sensor deviceadapted for communication with the centralized information managerand/or the personal information manager device. External factor sensor30 is representative of a sensor incorporated into centralizedinformation manager system 100. Persons skilled in the art are aware ofmany different sensors that can be incorporated to provide data tocentralized information manager system 100.

FIG. 2 depicts personal information manger device internal configuration200 illustrating one embodiment of an internal configuration forpersonal information manager device 14. As used herein, the term“personal information manager device” shall mean a programmable deviceto be worn by a user and adapted to receive data from a centralizedinformation manager system. Personal information manager device internalconfiguration 200 comprises processor 212 electrically connected topower supply 218, memory 240, GPS receiver 220, cellular transceiver210, user interface device 214 and display 216.

FIG. 3 depicts in-ear device internal configuration 300 illustrating oneembodiment of an internal configuration for in-ear device 12. In-eardevice internal configuration 300 comprises receiver 310 electricallyconnected to power supply 318 and audio output 320. Receiver 310 isadapted to communicate with user interface 214 of personal informationmanger device internal configuration 200.

FIG. 4 depicts centralized information manager 400 encoded on a computerreadable medium of server 28 (see FIG. 1). As used herein, the term“centralized information manager” shall mean one or more programsencoded in a server memory adapted to format and send data regardingmultiple media streams to a personal information manager device basedupon user configured priorities. Centralized information manager 400comprises medium interface library 440, rule formation program 500,buffer program 600, and transmission program 700. Centralizedinformation manager 400 also contains communications protocol 470, rulesfile 460, and buffer 480. Medium interface library 440 contains pagerapplication interface 441, email application interface 442, cell phoneapplication interface 443, telephone application interface 444, andother application interface 445. Other application interface 445 isrepresentative of any other application interface known to a personskilled in the art. Communications protocol 470 enables centralizedinformation manager 400 to receive unformatted data from multiple mediaand to send formatted data to personal information manager device 14.

FIG. 5 depicts the logic of rule formation program 500. Rule formationprogram 500 starts (502) when a user accesses centralized informationmanager in order to establish personalized priorities. The user selectsa medium (510). As used herein, the term “medium” shall mean adesignation of the type of transmission medium. The user does not needto select “content” because when a medium is selected, the appropriateinterface application will be associated with the selection. Inaccordance with communication protocol 470 (See FIG. 4), the interfaceapplication will receive data from the medium and send the formatteddata to the personal information device. Formatting will be provided bythe appropriate application interface, and will include the content. Asused herein, the term “content” shall mean a description of the type ofinformation contained in the medium The user then selects an originator(520). As used herein, the term “originator” shall mean the person,service, or device sending data to the user. The user selects externalfactors (530). As used herein, the term “external factors” shall mean adesignation of a condition independent of the type of data transmitted,the originator, or the content. For example, an external factor may bethe time of day, the user's location, the weather, or a user'scomputerized calendar entry. The user selects a priority (540) basedupon the medium, the originator, the content, and the external factors.Rule formation program 500 creates a rule based upon the user'sselections and priority (550) and displays the rule (560). As usedherein, the term “rule” shall mean an encoded instruction applied todata received and analyzed by the centralized information manager inorder to assign a transmission time determinative of a queue order in abuffer. The user reviews the rule and rule formation program 500 promptsthe user to decide whether to accept or reject the rule (570). If theuser rejects the rule, the user modifies the rule (572) and goes to step580. If the user accepts the rule, rule formation program 500 goes backto step 560, displays the rule (560) and prompts the user to decidewhether to accept or reject the rule (570). The process continues untilthe user receives a satisfactory rule. At step 580, rule formationprogram determines whether another rule is to be made. If so, ruleformation program goes to step 510 and repeats the entire process. Ifnot, rule formation program 500 ends (590).

FIG. 6 depicts the logic of buffer program 600. Buffer program 600starts (602) when a message is received by centralized informationmanager 400 (610). Buffer program examines the format of the data (620)and accesses rules file 460 (see FIG. 4) to locate a rule (630) to applyto the format (620). The format of the data has been created by theappropriate application interface from medium interface library 440 (seeFIG. 4). The applicable rule is applied to the message (640), and apriority and transmission time are assigned by buffer program 600 to thedata (650). The message is placed in queue in the buffer (660) andbuffer program 600 stops (670). Examples of formatted data are asfollows:

External Queue Medium Originator Content Factors Priority Position PagerSpouse Call Home 5:00 p.m. High 2 Heart Heart High Heart Location: High1 Monitor Rate insite Email Traffic Traffic Alert Location: on High 3Service road Email Weather Severe Location: on Medium 4 Service Weatherroad tomorrow Email Stock Service XYZ 5:00 p.m Medium 5 CorporationStock Stock move Exchange closedPersons skilled in the art are aware of multiple additional examples oftypes of data that can be formatted according to the characteristics ofmedium, originator, content, and external factors.

FIG. 7 depicts the logic of transmission program 700. Transmissionprogram 700 starts (702) when centralized information manager 400 isactivated. Transmission program 700 determines a user location using GPScoordinates from personal information manager device 14 (710).Transmission program 700 determines the time (712) and also determinesany other factor which may be applied (714). Transmission program 700examines the first item in queue (716), and determines whether a newrule needs to be applied based upon the user location, the time, oranother external factor (718). If a new rule is to be applied, thentransmission program applies the rule (720) and determines whether achange in buffer position is required (722). If a change in bufferposition is required, transmission program 700 assigns a new priorityand transmission time (724). In this manner, transmission program 700increases or decreases the rate at which information is sent to a user.If at step 722 no change in buffer position was indicated, or afterchanging the buffer queue position, transmission program 700 goes tostep 730. Next, transmission program 700 determines whether it is timeto transmit the data (726), and if so, transmits the data (730) or goesto step 728 and examines the next item in queue (728). If it is not timeto transmit the data, transmission program 700 examines the next item inqueue (728). After transmitting the data, transmission program 700determines whether the item was the last item in queue (732). If not,transmission program 700 goes to step 728 to examine the next item inqueue. When transmission program 700 reaches the last item in queue, adetermination is made whether to end the program or continue (734). Ifthe determination is to continue, transmission program 700 returns tostep 710 and begins the cycle over again. If the determination is to endthe program, transmission program 700 stops (736).

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, manner ofoperation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious toone of ordinary skill in the art. The present invention encompasses allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification. The novel spirit of the presentinvention is still embodied by reordering or deleting some of the stepscontained in this disclosure. The spirit of the invention is not meantto be limited in any way except by proper construction of the followingclaims.

1. An apparatus comprising: a server containing a storage readablemedium; a centralized information manager encoded on the storagereadable medium and adapted to format a data item by a plurality ofcharacteristics; and a personal information manager device adapted forcommunication with the centralized information manager; wherein,responsive to receiving a data item at the centralized informationmanager, sending the data item to the personal information managerdevice at a transmission time determined by a rule based upon theplurality of characteristics.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theplurality of characteristics comprise a medium, an originator, acontent, and an external factor.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein anexternal factor is a user location determined by global positioningsystem coordinates.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the content iscreated by an application interface located in a medium interfacelibrary at the server.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein an externalfactor is determined by reference to a user's computerized calendar. 6.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an in-ear device is adapted to receivea data from the personal information manager device.
 7. A computerimplemented method comprising: installing a centralized informationmanager on a storage readable medium at a server; wherein thecentralized information manager comprises instructions for a processorto perform steps comprising: receiving a data item; formatting the dataitem by a plurality of characteristics; and determining a transmissiontime, based upon a rule associated with the plurality ofcharacteristics, for transmission to a personal information managerdevice.
 8. The computer implemented method of claim 7 wherein theplurality of characteristics comprise a medium, an originator, acontent, and an external factor.
 9. The computer implemented method ofclaim 7 further comprising: determining a user location by globalpositioning system coordinates and comparing the user location to theexternal factor.
 10. The computer implemented method of 7 furthercomprising: creating the content using an application interface locatedin a medium interface library at the server.
 11. The computerimplemented method of claim 7 wherein an external factor is determinedby reference to a user's computerized calendar.
 12. The computerimplemented method of claim 6 wherein an in-ear device is adapted toreceive data from the personal information manager device.
 13. Acomputer program product comprising: a storage readable mediumcontaining instructions to cause a processor to: responsive to receivinga data item, format the data item by a plurality of characteristics; anddetermine a transmission time, based upon a rule associated with theplurality of characteristics, for transmission to a personal informationmanager device.
 14. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein theplurality of characteristics further comprise a medium, an originator, acontent, and an external factor.
 15. The computer program product ofclaim 13 further comprising: instructions to cause the computer todetermine a user location by global positioning system coordinates andcompare the user location to the external factor.
 16. The computerprogram product of claim implemented method of 13 further comprising:instructions to cause the computer to create the content using anapplication interface located in a medium interface library at theserver.
 17. The computer program product of claim 13 further comprising:determining an external factor by reference to a user's computerizedcalendar.
 18. The computer program product of claim 12 furthercomprising: instructions to send a formatted data item to an in-eardevice.